Health budget cuts short-sighted, AMAQ says

Dr Markwell says Qld's hospital and health boards were not expecting Federal Government cutbacks and patient services will be affected.

AAP Image: Dave Hunt - file photo

The Australian Medical Association of Queensland (AMAQ) is urging the state's regional health boards to be more transparent in their responses to recent Government budget cuts.

It has issued a 'wish list' for Queensland's health system, which also includes boosting preventative health measures, increased funding for trauma services, and arranging medical scholarships in rural areas.

AMAQ president Dr Alex Markwell says state and federal health cuts are short-sighted.

"In the short term when they're cut, you don't see a big hole but over many years it becomes apparent that there's been a lack of investment," she said.

"We see that with hospitals struggling to recruit and retain staff and with ongoing preventable health problems such as obesity, heart disease and so on."

Dr Markwell says the state's hospital and health boards were not expecting Federal Government cutbacks and patient services will be affected.

"Now is the time to be open and honest with the people of Queensland so that they know what services they can expect to access in their hospitals and which ones won't be on offer," she said.

"That's the reality of it - we know there will be surgery lists that'll be cut and there'll be other services that'll be cut."